I have owned many sidekicks over the years and loved them all. I curently own a 95 stock 2 door and a 91 2 door with a sammy diff up front locked front and back. My problem is that I know have 2 children and a mastiff, everybody doesn't fit!!

So... I am looking to buy a 1999-2003 Tracker, Vitara or Grand Vitara 4 door.

I was wondering what are the best motors in these years 4cyl or 6 cyl. I want reliability when abused and power compared to the weight of the truck it's in.

What models have the steel housing up front?

What were the major problems with these years?

I want something that I can use as a DD and also modify to wheel on the weekends, so also what type of mods have people done with these?

Thanks

Well the body lift and suspension lift is the same as the sidekicks (although the bL needs an extra steering extension).  Some Xl7's and GV's have steel front diffs, do a search on the 1999-2005 forum there is a post with the exact years.  I got a 2003XL7 diff that was aluminum because that was a crossover year so be careful!  Sidekick 5.125's turn 31's well in my 2L auto.  The 2.0 is more reliable but the v6 has more power.  Thebig  issue with the V6 is the timing chain.

If you don't get the answers here you could ask this in the 1999-2005 forum.  Lot's of ppl in there. Cheers!

John

Well the body lift and suspension lift is the same as the sidekicks (although the bL needs an extra steering extension).  Some Xl7's and GV's have steel front diffs, do a search on the 1999-2005 forum there is a post with the exact years.  I got a 2003XL7 diff that was aluminum because that was a crossover year so be careful!  Sidekick 5.125's turn 31's well in my 2L auto.  The 2.0 is more reliable but the v6 has more power.  Thebig  issue with the V6 is the timing chain.

If you don't get the answers here you could ask this in the 1999-2005 forum.  Lot's of ppl in there. Cheers!

John

The timing chains in the V6 are no less reliable than those in the 4 - it's just that you hear more about them - use the correct grade of oil, a good filter and change regularly and neither will give you trouble.